Category Archives: Toubkal

Making the List: 90 Great Canadian Explorers

I am humbled once again to be recognized by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society by my inclusion in their 90 Greatest Canadian Explorers List. Of course, whenever a list is made, many noteworthy, awesome, & deserving folks are left off … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Transitioning Away

After a lovely morning exploring and doing a bit of souvenir shopping (olives, preserved lemons, figs, dates, a tangene, scarf, and table covering-showing my love of food and eating), it was time to say good bye to the coast and … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 14

The morning is free to enjoy the beach or the souk and after lunch we will head back to Marrakech to celebrate the end of our expedition. DO YOU KNOW: The Marrakech Agreement, manifested by the Marrakech Declaration, was an … Continue reading

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.51360 Longitude:-9.77020 GPS location Date/Time:10/04/2013 05:38:36 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E5wI7/31.51360N/9.77020W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: In Essaouira

Our trekking has now come to an end and we’ve spent the afternoon exploring the medina in Essaouira. We finished our coastal trekking section with 3 beautiful beaches. Today we even got to walk along with our camels this morning … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Jebel Toukbal Summit

Five of our team reached the summit of North Africa’s and Morocco’s highest peak at about 9:00 am this morning. We started climbing at about 5:00 am and made a steady ascent. The wind picked up and dropped the temp … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Hump Day

Getting to ride camel on Wednesday a.k.a Hump Day was perfect. Our camel drivers treated us to the thrill of being six feet off the ground on the backs of their mighty dromedaries. The camel is easy to mount because … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 13

We will hike through coastal forest over rocky promontories and along the beach to Sidi Kaouki where we will meet our vehicles and drive Essaouria. DO YOU KNOW: In 1952 director and actor Orson Welles directed a film based on … Continue reading

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Happy Hump Day!!!

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.26136 Longitude:-9.80316 GPS location Date/Time:10/02/2013 10:55:08 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E4QgH/31.26136N/9.80316W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 12

We will walk through coastal hills and farmland to Sid M’Bark . It will be about 5 hours walking. DO YOU KNOW: In 1943 United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and French Generals Charles de … Continue reading

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On the Beach

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.19093 Longitude:-9.81490 GPS location Date/Time:10/01/2013 14:35:11 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E3mBn/31.19093N/9.81490W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 11

We’ll trek along the coast to and trek to little port of Sidi Ahmed Srir. Camp. It will take about 5 – 6 hours. DO YOU KNOW: Moroccan Nawal El Moutawakel accomplished something in the world of sports that was … Continue reading

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Goats & Trees

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.09364 Longitude:-9.81512 GPS location Date/Time:09/30/2013 16:00:11 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E31VG/31.09364N/9.81512W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 10

We’ll have a short walk down to Imlil, where we meet our transport for the drive to the Atlantic coast reaching Tafedna after approximately 5 hours. DO YOU KNOW: What Hollywood film starring Brad Pitt was partially filmed in the … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 9

Big Day!  Today we will climb  Jebel Toubkal (4167m /13,672ft.) North Africa’s and Morocco’s highest peak. From the summit, we’ll descend to our gite in Ait Souka. DO YOU KNOW: The Moroccan flag is made up of an object in … Continue reading

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Summit

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.05981 Longitude:-7.91489 GPS location Date/Time:09/29/2013 05:48:31 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E1w-d/31.05981N/7.91489W If the above … Continue reading

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.06573 Longitude:-7.93634 GPS location Date/Time:09/28/2013 12:36:51 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E1I7H/31.06573N/7.93634W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 8

We will hike via the holy site of Sidi Charmouch to the Neltner Refuge (3207m. / 10,522ft.). Camp. DO YOU KNOW: Moroccan currency is the dirham. Who are the only two faces ever depicted on dirham bank notes? Answer: King … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Villages along the Way

We’ve walked through many villages on our trip. This picture was taken from the roof top of a vote where we stopped for tea. What has struck me about the houses is that they seem to be part of the … Continue reading

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.13990 Longitude:-7.90991 GPS location Date/Time:09/27/2013 15:09:41 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/E0Zdv/31.13990N/7.90991W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 7

We return to Marrakech via the Dades Valley, along the famous “Road of the Kasbahs” then over the Tizi n’Tichka to Imlil at the foot of Toubkal. We stay overnight in a comfortable gite at Ait Soukha. DO YOU KNOW: … Continue reading

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Moving Down River…All is Well

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.38587 Longitude:-6.13022 GPS location Date/Time:09/26/2013 14:31:39 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/D_fpM/31.38587N/6.13022W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 6

A spectacular start to the day spent wading the waters through the Gorge de Achabou where the walls tower overhead only a few metres apart. After 45 minutes the valley opens out and we once again trek through fields and … Continue reading

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.47611 Longitude:-6.21103 GPS location Date/Time:09/25/2013 18:00:39 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/D-yeb/31.47611N/6.21103W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 5

This will be a superb and varied day. We follow the Ameskar Gorge, through an ever-changing landscape of green fields and ochre-coloured villages. Passing the villages of M’Rabtine (1900m) and Ifkiren we make camp at the entrance to the gorge. … Continue reading

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Sheeps & Camels and So Much More!

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.47648 Longitude:-6.38754 GPS location Date/Time:09/24/2013 13:45:59 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/Dzwmq/31.47648N/6.38754W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Day 4

The long ridgeline of l’Ighil Mgoun takes us to the summit of Mgoun at 4068m. After enjoying the sensational views we make a quick descent to Oulilimt, close to the springs of the Mgoun Assif. Camp is at 2800m. DO … Continue reading

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Camp Two

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.53104 Longitude:-6.51224 GPS location Date/Time:09/23/2013 12:08:10 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/Dy_p5/31.53104N/6.51224W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains of Morocco: Day 3

We follow the Ikkis river to the cirque at Tiwawakyhe. The ridge offers a remarkable view of Mgoun’s north face and the high valley of the Tessaout River. We stop in an ideal camping place close to the source of … Continue reading

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Moroccan Jiggs Dinner

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT TA

TA Latitude:31.56979 Longitude:-6.48309 GPS location Date/Time:09/22/2013 15:40:20 NDT Message:Mountains of Morocco: This is TA and team’s location on their expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco Click the link below to see where I am located. http://fms.ws/DyNoU/31.56979N/6.48309W If the above … Continue reading

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Mountains Of Morocco: Day 2

Today we will drive 4 hours to the Bougmez valley in the Central Atlas. We meet with the muleteers at Arous and walk for 2 hours to our first camp close to the Azibs n’Ikkis at 2500m. DO YOU KNOW: … Continue reading

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Ready for the Desert

Today in the souk we learned how to put on scarves for times in the desert and for times in the city. We saw the area of the central souk where they dye silk and wool. We’re off to the … Continue reading

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